A federal court has struck down Mississippi’s Supreme Court electoral map, ruling that it violates the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by diluting the political power of Black voters.
U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock issued the decision, finding that the map — which has governed state Supreme Court elections since 1987 — unlawfully splits Mississippi’s Delta region, a historically Black area, thereby weakening Black voter influence.
The case was litigated with support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued the Central District map minimized Black voting strength. The lawsuit, filed on April 25, 2022, highlighted that in nearly four decades under the current system, only four Black justices have served on the Mississippi Supreme Court — all from the same seat, and all initially appointed by governors rather than elected outright.
Judge Aycock’s ruling requires Mississippi to redraw its judicial district map. The court noted it will impose a deadline for the Legislature to complete the process.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office confirmed it is reviewing the 105-page ruling and may appeal.
Legal experts say the decision is significant, as judicial election maps — though less frequently litigated than legislative ones — have broad implications for access to justice and judicial diversity. The ruling underscores the continuing role of the Voting Rights Act in challenging electoral structures that disadvantage minority communities.
